Traction-engine



(No Model.)

H. HUDSON.

TRACTION ENGINE.

Patented 11111524, 1884 EM 2W .nI W W W,

N. PETERS Phnlo-Lithognphon Washmgion, D. C,

NITED STATES HARRY H. HUDSON, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,869, dated June 24, 1884.

Application filed December 19, 1883. (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY H. HUDSON, of

Flint, in the county of Genesee and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Traction-Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in traction-engines; and the invention relates more specifically to an improved traction-gearing, which, in combination with the reversing-gear, gives the engineer an absolute control of its movement in regard to stopping, backing, or goingahead.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved traction-engine. Fig. 2 is a vertical central cross-section on line X X in Fig. 1.

A represents the boiler, B the tractionwheels, 0 the crank-shaft, of the engine, D the reversing-gear for the engine-valve; E, a sprocket-wheel secured upon the crank-shaft; E, the drive-pulley,and F F sprocket-wheels secured to the inner side of the tractionwheels B.

G is a counter-shaft, upon which is secured at each end a sprocket-wheel, H.

I I are chains passing around each pair of sprocket-wheels H and F.

J is an epicyclic train consisting of the bevelgear K, secured upon the counter-shaft G, the bevel-gear L, cast on one side of the disk M, which latter is loosely sleeved upon the shaft G, the sprocket-wheel N, sleeved between the bevel-gears K L, and the bevel-pinions O P, the shafts of which are radially journaled to the sprocket-wheel N diametrically opposite each other.

Q is a friction-pulley loosely sleeved upon the shaft G, which at this place is provided with a feather, with which the friction-pulley engages.

R is an annular projection upon one side of the friction-pulley Q. It is V-shaped in crosssection and adapted to engage into a corresponding groove upon the adjacent side of the disk M.

Sis alever pivotally secured at a to the frame of the engine, while its opposite end is forked and embraces the hub of the frictionpulley Q.

T T are a pair of toggle-levers. The former is pivotally secured at b to the lever S. The

latter is pivotally secured at 0 to the frame of through a slot in the are 9, by means of which the lever U can be held in any desired position.

W is another hand-lever secured in proximity to the hand-lever U. It is secured at h to the rock-shaft V.

t' is a rock-arm upon the rock-shaft V, and l is a rod connecting the end of the rock-arm 'i with the reversing-gear.

Z is a chain passing around the sprocketwheel E N, and communicating motion from the crank-shaft of the engine to the epicyclic train.

In practice the operator sits upon a seat, which brings the hand-levers U and NV within his convenient reach. By pushing the handlever U forward he forces the friction-wheel Q into engagement with the disk M, and if the engine is in motion the power will now be tor has perfect control over the traction-engine, and he can start as gradually as he pleases. This is in a large degree owing to the arrangement of the toggle-levers and the annular ring R, which gives him great power and requires but very little oscillation of the lever to bring the friction-wheel in or out of contact.

By the proper operation of the reversinglever W the operator can in cases of emergency supplement the action of the lever U, while the combined use of both levers gives the operator absolute control of the movements of his engine.

For obtaining great promptness of action it will be found a very convenient arrangement to have both the reversing-gear and the traction-gear controlled by levers which are placed close to each other and oscillate around the same axis.

Whenever the circumstances permit, the lever U may be locked in position after starting, and in cases of sudden emergencies the reversing-lever will allow the stopping of the engine by rendering the valve inactive.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In combination with the epicyclic train J and the counter-shaft G, the friction-clutch M Q, the disk M of which forms a member of the epicyclic train and is loose upon the shaft, while the disk Q slides on a fast feather on the shaft, and admits of being forced in and out of contact with the former by suitable connections operated by a lever, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The combination, with the epicyclic train J. of the traction-gear and the friction-clutch M Q, the V-shaped annular contact R, toggle:

levers '1 T", link 10, and hand-lever U, all

combined and operating substantially as de; scribed.

p 3. In a traction-engine, the traction-gearv herein described, consisting of the combination of the counter-shaft G, bevel-gear K, secured upon said shaft, bevel-gear L, frictiondisk M,sleeved loosely upon the shaft and forming an integral part with the bevel-gear L, sprocket-wheel N, sleeved loosely upon the shaft between the bevel-gears K and L, bevel-pinions O P, radially journaled upon the sprocket-wheel N, and friction-disk Q, slipped upon a spline on the shaft G and actuated by asuitable lever for bringing it in and out of contact with the disk M, all com? bined, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. In a traction-engine, and as a means for controlling its movements, the combination of the traction-gear, consisting of the epicyclic train J and a friction-clutch, M Q, arranged upon the same counter-shaft, with a reversinggear placed upon the crank-shaft of the engine,

and the two levers U W, for controlling the traction-gear and the reversing-gear, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

HARRY H. HUDSON.

Witnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE, CHARLES J. HUNT. 

